Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli's ability to deliver in the crucial stages of the Men's T20 World Cup. Despite a slow start to the tournament, Jaffer believes Kohli will showcase his greatness as the competition progresses.Kohli, who entered the World Cup as the leading run-getter in IPL 2024, has struggled on the challenging pitches in New York, scoring just 5 runs in three innings. However, Jaffer believes this is a temporary setback and that Kohli will bounce back."Rohit and Virat have been playing on the tough New York pitch, so they aren't among the top run-scorers," Jaffer said. "But do not write off Virat Kohli. As the tournament gets to its business end, he will show his true colors and he will show his greatness."Jaffer also dismissed suggestions that Kohli should revert to batting at number three, citing Rishabh Pant's success in that position. "I don't think Virat Kohli should bat at No. 3. He should continue to open because now you have got Rishabh Pant at No. 3 and now it has been working out really well."Jaffer emphasized the importance of proactive batting in the powerplay, especially on challenging pitches. "You will need to be proactive in the powerplay. You will reach nowhere if you play cautiously on such pitches because the bowler knows he has to bowl on a spot and let the pitch do the rest."With India's final Group A game against Canada approaching, Jaffer believes there could be a case for Sanju Samson to bat at number four. "There might be a case for Sanju Samson at No. 4. But then Shivam Dube has got just a couple of games and the team management will want to give him a longer run."

Sri Lankan Cricket Team Stranded in Fort Lauderdale Amidst Devastating FloodsFort Lauderdale, Florida, has declared a state of emergency due to life-threatening flash floods that have crippled the city. The torrential downpours have grounded hundreds of flights, including those carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team, which is currently participating in the T20 World Cup.The team was scheduled to depart from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean islands on Wednesday, but the heavy rain and flooding have forced them to delay their departure. The first game in Fort Lauderdale, Sri Lanka vs Nepal, was also washed out due to the inclement weather.Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida issued the declaration, stating that the rainfall and flooding have significantly impacted critical infrastructure, including major interstates, roadways, airports, and schools.The Sri Lankan team is expected to fly out on Thursday, but their departure remains uncertain as the flooding continues to affect the city's operations.Meanwhile, the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale is set to host key games this week, with Pakistan and USA vying for a place in the next round from Group A.USA will face Ireland on Friday, while Pakistan will take on the same opponents on Sunday. If USA defeats Ireland or the match is washed out, they will join India as the second team from Group A to qualify for the Super 8. This would render Pakistan's game on Sunday irrelevant.However, if USA loses to Ireland, Pakistan will have a chance to secure their own destiny when they face the Irish on Sunday.India currently leads Group A with six points from three games, while USA is second with four points. Pakistan's NRR is now better than USA's, meaning they can qualify for the Super Eight stage even if they beat Ireland by a narrow margin on Sunday, provided USA loses to Ireland on Friday.The flooding in Fort Lauderdale has not only stranded the Sri Lankan team but has also cast doubt on the upcoming matches scheduled to be played in the city. The safety and well-being of the players and spectators remain paramount, and the authorities will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions accordingly.

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has dismissed concerns over Virat Kohli's recent string of low scores in the T20 World Cup, emphasizing the need for patience and faith in the veteran batter.Kohli, who entered the tournament with an impressive Orange Cap-winning season in the IPL, has struggled to find his rhythm, registering scores of 1, 4, and a golden duck in the group stage. However, Gavaskar believes that these setbacks are not indicative of a decline in Kohli's form."There's nothing to worry about," Gavaskar said. "He has done so well for India over the years and won so many games. He recognizes that. We are in the early phases of the tournament. There's Super 8s, semi-finals, and hopefully the final. All he needs to do is show patience and faith in himself."Gavaskar pointed out that Kohli's dismissals have been due to good deliveries rather than poor form. "Any other day, the ball would've gone wide or over the slip for a boundary, today it didn't," he said. "So, there's nothing to worry about."With India safely into the next round of the tournament, Gavaskar believes that Kohli will have ample opportunities to regain his touch. "We have to show faith in him," he said. "Much believe that he is going to come good, sooner rather than later."Kohli's poor start to the tournament has extended to three matches, but Gavaskar remains confident that the Indian superstar will bounce back. "When you get three low scores, it doesn't mean he is not batting well," he said. "He is going to come good."

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a triumphant return to Bengal for the upcoming Indian domestic season. He will also grace the inaugural Bengal Pro T20 league, which commences on Tuesday at the iconic Eden Gardens.Saha, who has represented Bengal for nearly 15 years, had moved to Tripura ahead of the 2022-23 season as a player-cum-mentor. However, after two years, he has decided to return to his home state.The 39-year-old was not initially included in the draft list for the Bengal Pro T20 league. However, he was picked by the Rashmi Medinipur Wizards team as a replacement for the injured Abhimanyu Easwaran. The Wizards, led by Sudip Chatterjee, also boast former India U-19 fast bowler Ishan Porel in their ranks.A total of eight teams will participate in the Pro T20 league, with each team playing seven league-stage matches. The semi-finals and final will be held on June 28 at the Eden Gardens."We are delighted to welcome Wriddhiman back to Bengal. His presence in the Bengal Pro T20 League will undoubtedly add to the tournament's allure," said Snehasish Ganguly, president of the Cricket Association of Bengal.Saha has an impressive first-class record, having played 136 matches and scoring 7013 runs at an average of 41.99. He has also represented India in 40 Test matches, scoring 1353 runs at an average of 29.41.In the recently concluded IPL 2023 season, Saha played for the Gujarat Titans, who won the title in their inaugural season. However, he had a disappointing campaign, scoring only 136 runs in nine innings.Saha's return to Bengal is expected to bolster the team's chances in both the Pro T20 league and the Ranji Trophy. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the young players in the squad.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has launched a scathing attack on the national team following their dismal performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 clash against India. Pakistan suffered a humiliating six-run defeat in a low-scoring encounter, leaving them with zero points after two matches.Akram expressed his frustration with the team's lack of fight and poor decision-making. He criticized the batsmen for failing to chase down a modest target of 120, despite having experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan in the lineup."Pakistan doesn't need an enemy, they have plenty themselves," Akram said. "Now should we put a pacifier in their mouths? Now we have to explain to them what situation awareness is? Babar will explain, the coach will explain."Akram pointed out that the batsmen have been playing for several years and should have the experience to handle pressure situations. He questioned their lack of effort and inability to hit boundaries, even after 10 overs."These batsmen have been playing for the last 8-10 years," Akram said. "Now should I tell Rizwan that the main bowler has come for one over, to take a wicket? You didn't hit a boundary after 10 overs. Didn't even try. So even 120 couldn't be chased."Akram's criticism reflects the growing frustration among Pakistani fans and experts. The team's performance has been below par in recent months, and the defeat to India has raised serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.Pakistan now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages. They need to beat Canada and Ireland by a big margin to improve their net run rate. Their qualification hopes also depend on India winning their remaining matches and the USA losing their remaining matches.

Canada vs Ireland: Maiden Win Ambitions Collide in T20 World Cup ClashIn a crucial Group A encounter at the T20 World Cup, Canada and Ireland will lock horns in New York, both seeking their first victory in the tournament.Ireland, who suffered an eight-wicket defeat to India in their opening match, will rely on their experienced batting trio of Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, and Harry Tector to guide them to a much-needed win. Balbirnie, the captain, is known for his aggressive style, while Stirling and Tector are renowned for their consistency and ability to anchor the innings.Canada, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from a seven-wicket loss to co-hosts USA. The Canadian team boasts a blend of youth and experience, with young guns like Navneet Dhaliwal and Dillon Heyliger looking to make an impact. Veteran all-rounder Nikhil Dutta will be crucial to their chances, providing stability with both bat and ball.The match promises to be a close contest, with both teams desperate for a win to keep their hopes of reaching the Super 12 stage alive. Ireland will be favored due to their superior experience and batting depth, but Canada has shown that they are capable of upsetting the odds.The match will be played at the Queens Sports Club in New York, starting at 10:00 AM local time (3:00 PM GMT).

India's batting coach Vikram Rathour has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will continue to bat at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup following his impressive performance against Ireland. Rathour also expressed his satisfaction with having a fully-fit Hardik Pandya back in the squad, both of whom played crucial roles in India's victory over Ireland on Wednesday.Pant and Pandya, who made their return to international cricket after a long hiatus due to injuries, showcased their skills in India's eight-wicket triumph in their opening game of the tournament. On a challenging pitch with uneven bounce, Pant's unbeaten 36 included a stunning reverse-scoop six, highlighting his return to form after a horrific car accident in December 2022."Yes, he has been batting really well. The two games (warm-up and Ireland) he has played, he has looked really, really good," Rathour told the media after the match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium. "At the moment, he is our No. 3 and it helps that he is a left-hander," Rathour added, confirming Pant's spot in the lineup alongside skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top.Both Pant and Pandya demonstrated their fitness and form during the IPL, paving their way back into the India squad for the T20 World Cup. Despite a challenging season as captain for Mumbai Indians, Pandya's skills as an all-rounder were highly valued by India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar.In the match against Ireland, Pandya's performance with the ball was remarkable. He delivered a precise spell, taking three wickets for 27 runs in his four overs, marking his first match since October 2023 when he had to leave the field due to an ankle injury during a game against Bangladesh."Hardik looked really good. Hardik has been — I mean, even in the practice game and even in the practice — bowling really well," Rathour noted. "He looks fit enough to go through four overs and he's been bowling with some pace and some accuracy, so yeah, it's great," he added.India's positive start to the T20 World Cup, bolstered by the return of Pant and Pandya, sets a promising tone for their campaign as they continue to navigate the challenges of the tournament.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, joined the team a day before their warm-up clash against Bangladesh but missed all three practice sessions. He was also not selected for the warm-up game, with skipper Rohit Sharma citing his late arrival as the reason.However, a recent report claims that Kohli, along with other Indian team members, missed a practice session on Sunday due to rest following their match against Bangladesh. The report also states that Kohli will participate in India's training session on Monday.Kohli's late arrival for the warm-up game has raised questions about his fitness and preparation for the T20 World Cup. However, the report suggests that he is expected to be fully fit and available for India's first match of the tournament against Pakistan on October 23.Kohli finished the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign with 741 runs in 15 innings, winning the Orange Cap for the second time in his career. Despite concerns about his potential non-selection for the T20 World Cup, he enters the tournament as the top run-getter in history, having amassed 1141 runs in 27 appearances since 2012.The 35-year-old was also named the ODI Player of the Year by ICC ahead of the T20 World Cup. He had a remarkable 2023 season, scoring 1,377 runs in 27 ODIs at an average of 72.47 and a strike rate of 99.13, with six centuries and eight fifties. His best score was an unbeaten 166.Kohli played a crucial role in India's Asia Cup 2023 triumph, scoring an unbeaten 122* in 94 balls against Pakistan in a crucial Super Four stage game. He continued his impressive form in the ODI World Cup held last year at home, scoring 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62, with three centuries, six half-centuries, and a best score of 117.Kohli ended the tournament as the top-scorer, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of 673 runs in a single World Cup edition. He also surpassed Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI tons, scoring his 50th ODI ton against New Zealand in the semifinals.With his impressive recent form, Kohli will be a key player for India in the T20 World Cup. His experience, leadership, and ability to score runs in pressure situations will be invaluable to the team as they aim to win their second T20 World Cup title.

Virat Kohli, India's talismanic batsman, has joined his team in New York for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His arrival comes five days after the rest of the Indian squad landed in the city.Kohli's participation in the warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday remains uncertain. The BCCI has confirmed his arrival, but he is expected to rest after a long flight. His involvement in the practice match will depend on his personal inclination and readiness.Despite missing three training sessions, the team management is not concerned about Kohli's preparation. They trust his experience and ability to prepare himself adequately for the tournament. Kohli has an impressive tally of 741 runs in 15 IPL matches, indicating that he needs minimal additional match practice.Kohli's arrival completes the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. The team has been arriving in batches, with the first group landing on May 25 and the second contingent reaching on May 28.The Indian team management has a history of granting special considerations to Kohli. He was allowed a break before the South Africa Test series and opted out of the entire Test series against England at home to be present for the birth of his second child.Kohli's presence in the Indian team is crucial for their success in the T20 World Cup. He is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world, and his leadership and batting prowess will be vital for India's chances of winning the tournament.